To All the Boys I've Loved Before Author: Jenny Han
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 288 pages
Publication Date: April 15, 2014
From Goodreads:
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.
Review:
Why I Loved This Book:
1. It was such a feel good book. It made me smile, it made me laugh. I become emotionally invested in the characters. Just an adorable book!
2. Lara Jean. Oh, Lara Jean, I liked you so much. You were such a homebody and you just didn't really care. You knew who you were. You loved your sisters and your father. You were a scrapbooker. You hated driving. You were so clueless with guys.
3. Opposites attract. Such a perfect opposites attract relationship. Since they don't care about impressing each other, they're completely honest with each other. I loved watching their relationship progress (I'm not mentioning what couple I'm talking about since the synopsis doesn't include it). The romance is delightful.
4. Sister love and family. It was such an important part of this book. No absent families here.
What I didn't like was the ending. I guess I wasn't paying attention because I had no idea this was the first in a series (I think it's just a duology). So when it ends in a cliffhanger (yes, a cliffhanger in a YA contemporary), I was like…what???? I was ready to rant and then I found out that yes, there is a sequel. So just be prepared for that.
Words don't adequately express how charmed I was by this book. If you enjoyed Anna and the French Kiss or The Distance Between Us, you will love this one. Read it!!!
Posted by: Pam
I did love the focus on family in this book. And the opposites attract bit. But didn't feel as strongly toward Lara Jean and I think the response to the letters was a bit overplayed in the synopsis and underplayed in the book. But still good! I wasn't expecting a sequel either but it'll be nice to have a bit more closure.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad the synopsis led you astray. I read this after I read your review, so I knew what to expect. I guess it sounds like there were a ton of letters when there were only five, and one gets returned. And the confrontation part…she only talks to three of them. So I agree, that part was overplayed in the synopsis. ~Pam
DeleteI finished my review for this today, which should go live tomorrow and I really loved the book. OMG the ending really got to me too, it was basically the only thing I didn't like because I wasn't expecting it either.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book too, I was invested, I was laughing, I was happy and I read it in practically one sitting. It was 100% a feel good book! Lara Jean was adorable and I loved her, especially her fear of driving because I have that too, it's the whole reason I couldn't learn lol.
The romance was just spot on for me, everything I could have wanted from the book and more. The sister and family love in this book was brilliant too, I adored it. Thanks for the great review, happy to see we both utterly loved this book. It got 5/5 from me :)
So glad you loved this one too. And same here, I was really invested in this one. Such a feel good book, which is exactly what I was in the mood for. And Lara Jean was such a well fleshed out character that I felt like I really got to know her (fear of driving, scrapbooking, staying at home with her family, etc.)
DeleteAnd I loved loved loved the romance. 5/5 for me too! ~Pam
I've been SO excited to read this book from the moment I glimpsed the cover. I'm glad that it is such a great book, but WOW at cliffhanger in YA contemporary. That's definitely going to be new for me as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review!
Yeah, I was not expecting a cliffhanger. At all. So that part was frustrating. It's strange too, because just a couple more chapters and I don't think one would be needed. Which really makes me curious about the sequel. ~Pam
DeleteI've never read a Jenny Han. But this sounds cute. I was worried about love triangles - b/c of the premise and this author's other series. But I love a good ship. What I don't love are these new contemporaries that are becoming series. I need standalones! However, you definitely peaked my interest about this book.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I need standalones! And it's a love triangle, but not really. I can't explain more without spoiling anything. And yes, such a great ship! ~Pam
DeleteI have been really wanting to read this book. I wish I could get my hands on it!
ReplyDeleteIt's so good, hope you get to read it soon! ~Pam
DeleteYou sold me with the sister love part. I have two sisters and we have a very close relationship so any book that focuses on sister relationships is one that I'll pick up.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll love this one. The sister relationships are an important part of the book, which was a refreshing change. Can't wait for you to read it! ~Pam
DeleteThis book sounds like a delightful read! I need to pick it up soon...though I am a little unhappy with the whole series thing. At first, I was more excited when I thought it was a standalone because I don't need any more series to read. But I still have to check this out since everyone else is loving it. :D
ReplyDeleteI don't need any more series either, but I do recommend this one. So cute! ~Pam
DeleteGreat review! Just found your blog and now following through bloglovin :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! ~Pam
DeleteI'm not usually into contemporaries but this seems like a good book. Love the review. I'm Andie by the way.
ReplyDeleteI used to not read contemporaries, instead reading mostly dystopian, paranormal, and fantasy, but I've been reading more and more and really enjoying them. I like the light and fun ones rather than the really heavy issues ones. ~Pam
DeleteCompletely agree on all counts. Loved Lara Jean and her relationships with her sisters, thought the romance was completely adorable, and went wth when it ended like that. I hope you are right and there is only one more book. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI almost don't see how there can be another book. It really only needed a couple more chapters. But I did love it so I certainly don't mind reading more about Lara Jean, but I just hope the romance doesn't get too messed up! ~Pam
DeleteI was planning on reading this, but now I'm going to have to read this! The author is stopping by a local bookstore this month and I haven't figured out how to make it when she's coming, but maybe I'll just have to get a babysitter...
ReplyDeleteOh how fun that you'll get to meet her! I loved this one, it was so much fun (except for that ending…it killed me!) ~Pam
Delete